As part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen tourism and support Panama's economic recovery, Copa Airlines, the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and PROMTUR Panama present the relaunch of the Panama Stopover Program under the concept that 'Panama has everything and very close', with an improved product offering. The promotion of the Panama destination expands its reach to include new target markets such as the United States, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil, with the goal of attracting 300 thousand tourists by 2026.
“With this new stage of the Panama Stopover, we reaffirm our commitment to making Panama an even more attractive destination for international travelers. The Hub of the Americas® in Tocumen continues to be the main connectivity point in the region, and together with PROMTUR Panama, we are expanding the tourism promotion of our country to other key markets. With this campaign, we seek to have more visitors discover the cultural and natural wealth of Panama, thus contributing to the economic development of the country,” said Marco Ocando, senior director of marketing, communications and the Frequent Flyer program at Copa Airlines.
The Panama Stopover program allows passengers transiting through the Hub of the Americas® in Panama on Copa Airlines flights to enjoy two destinations for the price of one. Travelers can extend their stay in Panama at no additional cost to their airfare, taking advantage of their connection to explore the
country's many attractions. This initiative has been designed to encourage tourism, using the country's strategic position as the main connection center in the region.
“This new alliance between our flagship airline and PROMTUR will allow even more people to take advantage of the Panama Stopover program, increasing the number of visitors and generating more income for the country. Together, we have designed a strategy focused on ensuring that the entire tourism sector benefits by optimizing the
microsite where those who wish to participate have the opportunity to publish their accommodation, gastronomy and tourist attraction offers,” said Jennifer Janson, executive marketing director of PROMTUR Panama.
In addition, Janson mentioned that “the integration of Panamanian companies into the Panama Stopover program means that the entire value chain participates, establishing a direct relationship with the tourists who use the free stopover program in our country. Thus, everyone will be able to benefit from a program designed to attract tourists and
generate jobs.”
Since its launch in 2019 through September of this year, the Panama Stopover program has brought nearly 500,000 tourists to the country. By the end of 2024, it is expected that 150,000 tourists will have visited Panama taking advantage of this program, which would represent an estimated 8% of the total international visitors arriving in the country
this year.
With a joint investment of 1.5 million dollars between Copa Airlines and PROMTUR, the campaign 'Panama has everything and it's very close' seeks to position the country as a diverse and accessible destination in the region, taking advantage of the short distances and the ease of exploring its main attractions and diversity of experiences. The advertising campaign highlights everything from the emblematic Panama Canal and the vibrant gastronomic and shopping offer in the city, to its impressive natural landscapes and its rich cultural heritage, as well as its nightlife, inviting travelers to discover everything that Panama has to offer.
“This joint effort with the private sector seeks to ensure that tourists make the most of their time in Panama, promoting a more complete tourist experience for those who decide to make a stopover in our country, undoubtedly an essential tool that strengthens the tourism value chain and generates a significant economic impact for the country,” said ATP Deputy Administrator Jorge Correa.
Among the new features of the Panama Stopover program are new alliances with hotels, restaurants and local attractions, allowing tourists to enjoy special discounts and personalized experiences. In addition, the website offers a renewed digital experience, providing visitors with
interactive tools to easily plan their stay in Panama.
Source: Promtur Panama / Copa Airlines.